“Evolving Consciousness”
Linda Eastburn

Linda Eastburn began her profession as a health intuitive after many successful years as an entrepreneur in the field of real estate. Her success allowed her to pursue her first love, the connection between mind and spirit. Today she is a world-renowned intuitive, instructor, and author. She is a certified hypnotherapist, with a nationwide clientele. She is the author of the acclaimed book, Riding the Intuitive Wave, Listening to What Your Body Already Knows. Linda hosted the internationally broadcast radio show Anomalies, and has been a guest on various national radio broadcasts. Linda is the founder of Intuitive Care, a line of distant learning courses. She is certified as a continuing education instructor for nurses on the health benefits of intuition. Today she has students around the globe learning to use their intuitive abilities in work, personal healing, and self-understanding.

Linda’s message will be on evolving consciousness. Humankind's evolution is always responding to environmental influence. Intuition will either be part of this or it will die out. As a health intuitive she will show the value of using this primal from of communication with the direction of our more evolved reasoning intellect.

Listen to the full sermon.

“Why Can’t I Just Wallow in the Mud?”
Tracy Cook

Sometimes we fall down, and sometimes we are pushed. We know we are supposed to just pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and start down our path again. But what if we land in a mud puddle, and things don’t just brush off? Or what about those times when it feels good to wallow in the mud?! What then? Come in, listen, and if you wish, share your thoughts during Corner Forum. Tracy is President of the Board of the Northwest Community Unitarian Universalist Church and has completed the Dwight Brown Leadership Experience course.

Listen to, or read, the full sermon.

“Love Makes a Family (Thrive)”
Reverend Phil Schulman

Come hear some good news about the changing picture of American family structure. We will celebrate that families come in many shapes and sizes.

My title and blurb above are intended to challenge fundamentalist assumptions of what a family "should" look like. If you would like to help me spotlight positive changes (or challenges) please email me your thoughts, stories or questions regarding the changing picture of family life in the 21st century.

I'd especially appreciate hearing from single parents, blended families, adoptive or foster families. What does your family look like? What's been good about being that way? What's been difficult about it? (include how your family has been treated) What do you wish everyone would remember? What would you like to never hear again? What would you like to hear or see? PLEASE reflect and comment. Educate me, share your stories, conclusions, questions, concerns, ...

I will be happy to keep private any information that you share with me, if you let me know that is your wish.

BTW, whether you appreciate or regret these social changes, your input is much appreciated. I trust that we can present our doubts and concerns respectfully. I trust that we can engage in compassionate dialogue. I know that we can be open minded and hearted, that we can support learning and growth together.

Let's hear from UU!

Listen to, or read the full sermon.

“Born to Love”
Patti Henry

 We love because it is the only true adventure.
--Nikki Giovanni

The most powerful energy on the planet is love. Let us find ways to hook into it and live in it. Let us find ways to use our right of conscience and the democratic process to use love to heal the world. Let us come to church on Valentine’s Day to hear psychotherapist and author Patti Henry speak about the necessity of loving in order to fully experience our highest selves, both individually and collectively.

"One UU's Take on Racism"
Tom Parker

UUs have a long history of taking a stand against racism and some acts are clearly and egregiously racist. But what about the grey areas, the more challenging aspects of racism we deal with both publicly and privately? Is racism ever justified? How does racism manifest itself in your life? To what extent are you a racist? Join us as Tom Parker addresses these and other questions and gives us his take on what UUs can do.

Read the full sermon.

"Music Communion"
Musicians of NWCUUC

Music has long been a part of religious ritual and always been a part of community. In addition to the talented musicians of NWCUUC sharing their gifts, we invite all to share their musical taste. Please bring either a "mix CD" of your favorite songs or a CD that has special meaning for you. Like our flower communion, these CDs will be gathered together so that everyone may take a different CD than they brought, to take home and enjoy.

David R. Throop

David Throop is a local UU who will be presenting the talk on January 24th.

“Transforming Pain to Power and Peace”
Rev. Phil Schulman

Often we arrange our world to try to avoid things that trigger our pain. It ends up blocking us from embracing live's deep joy and fulfillment. As we begin a new year, let's consider some ways to make peace with the events or parts of ourselves we would lke to banish. When we come home to ourselves, we will find freedom and unleash our creative power.

Read the full sermon.

“A Spiritual Solution for Every Problem”
Rev. Phil Schulman

As we begin a new year, let's consider putting this horse before our cart. What is our spirituality and how could we use it for the basis to face all of life's challenges?

Read or listen to the full sermon.

"Meet Me in Baggage Claim"
Rita Cusack, Joanna Fontaine Crawford

Here's two New Year Resolutions: in one year, I will be a better person. In one year, the world will be a better place because of something I did.

Sounds great, but what's the first step? First step is unpacking some baggage -- those things that hold us back from becoming the person we want to be. Come join us as we -- literally -- burn through those things we wish to get rid of, to make space for what we want to acquire.

Help! Why won't someone help me?
Earle Canfield

Ever get the feeling that we are dangling on the end of a rope and someone on top keeps throwing money over the cliff to help us climb back up! Well, you aren't the only one! What we really need is someone to grab hold of the rope and pull us back on to solid ground. Let's stop wasting our time and money, and start doing something effective. Lessons from Nepal.

Still No Room at the Inn?
Rev. Phil Schulman

Are we so resentful of what has been done in his name, that we close our hearts and our eyes to the miracle of the Christmas spirit that emerges this time of year? Yes ye religious liberals, verily I say unto you, "prepare him room." Hint: If getting stuck on literalism is making you a Scrooge, it's not religious liberalism.

Listen to or read the full text of this sermon here.

Lessons and Carols
NWCUUC Worship Team

December is one of the most festive times to be a Unitarian Universalist. We have what A. Powell Davies referred to as the “privilege of the illimitable mind” – we get to celebrate and find value in all the holidays of the season. Come see why, when a UU says, “Happy Holidays” it really means something!

The Battle for Christmas
Joanna Fontaine Crawford, UU Seminarian

There has been talk in the past few years about the “War on Christmas.” However, if you look at the history of Christmas in the United States, you’ll discover that the reality is different than some would want you to believe. Make no mistake – this is a subversive holiday, highly influenced by Unitarian Universalists. In fact, without Unitarians and Universalists, Christmas as we currently know it wouldn’t even exist!

Listen to the full sermon.

“Bread Communion”
Rev. Phil Schulman

Whether you were with your family or not for Thanksgiving, finish out this holiday weekend with us. Come back or enter into our spiritual community, and we'll break bread. Phil will talk about the miracle of leavening, and we will reflect upon what we are baking in our lives, and what is rising in the world.

Read or listen to the full sermon.

"The Church's One True Foundation"
Bil Cusack

Ever wonder what it is that really makes things continue? What is it that we could never do without?" Inspired by sermon given by Dr. Web Kitchell many years back at First Unitarian Houston, Bil Cusack delves into this rich topic.

Read or listen to the full sermon.

“Planting Seeds of Soul: The Seed of Self-Knowledge”
Rev. Anthony David

In Jonathan Haidt’s book The Happiness Hypothesis, he writes, “Suppose you read about a pill that you could take once a day to reduce anxiety and increase your contentment. Would you take it? Suppose further that the pill has a great variety of side effects, all of them good: increased self-esteem, empathy, and trust; it even improves memory. Suppose, finally, that the pill is all natural and costs nothing. Now would you take it? The pill exists. It is meditation.” Let’s take a look. It’s right in line with what Thoreau once urged, “we must learn to reawaken and keep ourselves awake.”

“Sacred Spaces”
Del Gault

This service will explore Art, Architecture, and Sacred Spaces from around the globe. We will be including other faith traditions in our discussions of Sacred Spaces. After the services, there will be a discussion of the similarities shared in all faith traditions. This will include ideas about our interactions with the Divine, beyond the Western (Judeo-Christian) perspectives we traditionally hold. Come and stretch your spirituality with us!

“Mountains of the Bible”
Del Gault

Mountains of the Bible will include exploration of the physical landscape mentioned in the Old and New Testaments. The physical landscape will be our background for a liberal interpretation of Moses and Jesus as main lawgivers in the Bible.

"To Dream the Impossible Dream"
Lucia Bettler

Honor, nobility of spirit, idealism---all qualities related to justice, equity and compassion in our lives.  These are eternal themes in literature, drama and song.  It's not easy being human, not always easy having compassion for others when we are struggling ourselves with the complexities of life.  Join Lucia Bettler as she shares her vision of what it is that keeps us awake and alive to one another in these challenging times.

Listen to the sermon here.

“A New Religious Identity”
Rev. Phil Schulman

Our living tradition continues to change. Do you? A generation ago people came to us charged with negative energy about the religions they had left behind. We called ourselves religious liberals but often the religious part was missing. Today the people knocking on our doors are hungry for spirituality and alternatives to fundamentalism and market place culture. Being a religious liberal takes effort, but yields rewards. Are you willing to grow with our faith?

“Remembering, Letting Go, Starting Fresh”
Rev. Phil Schulman

Last month Rev Phil shared with us the Jewish high holiday tradition, known as the Days of Awe. We were asked to reflect upon the past year, our moral victories as well as the ways that we fell short of being the UUs we want to be. Today we will complete the process remember, let go, put the past behind us and start fresh.

Listen to the full sermon.

“To Dwell Together In Peace”
Christina Branum-Martin

The task of peacemaking is arduous for governments, communities and individuals. Ghandi said “Be the change you want to see in the world”. Yet it takes practice to become the person we each aspire to be.

Christina Branum-Martin is 4th year seminary student at Meadville-Lombard Theological School in Chicago. She is in a non-resident student and lives here in Houston during her studies.
She shares her life with her husband and 9 year old daughter.

“The Semantics of Religious Language: Transcribing the World to Our UU Perspective”
R. Julian Zamora

You say tomato, I say tomahto... should we call the whole thing off? Of course not.

Although we may see the same thing, we might call it by different names. For instance, some languages such as Spanish use the word Dios for God, Arabic uses the word Allah for God and others to describe The Divine or Supreme Being might call it by another name.

Unfortunately it isn't always as easy in one's own language. It is our abstract concepts of faith and our attempt to attach words to describe them that can often times create tension, misunderstanding and dismissal of growth opportunities.

Join us as we delve into the different aspects of religious speak and how honing our ability to transcribe the faith language of others will help us grow as UUs.

Read the full sermon.

“Days of Awe”
Rev. Phil Schulman

The Jewish high holy days are a time of reflection, remembering, making amends and letting go in order to enter at-one-ment with the source of life, with our neighbors and our self. Come home to the land of your soul where life begins anew.

Listen to the full sermon.

“What’s a UU?”
John Hammer, Rita Cusack, Susanna Hill

Based on a service given at First UU Church of Albuquerque, our ensemble of speakers address in a snappy informative way what Unitarian Universalism is and what Unitarian Universalists do.

“Beyond Tolerance”
Susanna Hill

Inspired by Rev. Marlin Lavanhar’s sermon, Susanna delves into what tolerance means for a Unitarian Universalists. Are there limits to tolerance? Are we really as tolerant as we think we are? And is tolerance the goal, or merely a step in the right direction?

“You Are Loved!”
Joanna Fontaine Crawford

You are surrounded by love–do you recognize it? Do you realize how much? As humans, we have both a need to give love and receive love. As Unitarian Universalists, we say that “love is the spirit”of our church.What do we do with this love? What is the real power of the love within? And if we want more love in our lives, where do we find it?

CELEBRATE!
A Homecoming and Water Ceremony

Cheryl Perry and Rita Cusack will lead a worship service celebrating our summer travels and homecoming. Bring a bit of water (real or symbolic) representing a place of spiritual significance so that we may once again come together through the water communion ceremony.

The Power Of Positive Feelings
Rev. Phil Schulman

Much has been written about positive thinking and visualization. The missing piece for nurturing our souls and healing the world may lie with our feelings. Bring us your tired weary spirits, bring us your contentment or your excitement. Together in our sanctuary of acceptance, we will sing a new song to creation.

Read or listen to the full sermon.

The Art of Being Hip Hop
Speakers: DJ Sama'an and Friends

Popular culture has everything to do with the way that each new young generation communicates with itself and about itself. Hip hop has been around for more than one new young generation, but continues to evolve and become more and more meaningful to people across the planet. Come to this sermon to find out what the hip hop culture has to tell us about spirituality and how it relates to the UU faith. Be prepared to hear some good beats and to move around as you are willing and able.

Ware Lecture 2009
Faith and Reason: Race, Justice, and American Political Life

Associate Professor of Politics and African American Studies at Princeton University, Melissa Harris-Lacewell, this year's Ware Lecturer, challenged us to pause in the moment of American racial transformation and ask about how faith and reason can guide our politics toward more just ends. We Americans do use religious and rational justifications for democratic processes, policy directions, and political goals. In fact, in many ways the American state is the God figure in our nation's civic religion. But the realities of black life in America have historically served to challenge the American project in both moral and secular realms.

The Four Spiritualities
Pulpiteered by Michelle French

What is the type of spirituality that feeds you? Rational Mind? Spiritual Mind? Service? Love? Come join us as we learn from this not-to-be-missed sermon, written and first delivered by Rev. Anthony David, today pulpiteered by Michelle French.

Talkin' Theology
Christian Schmidt

Guest speaker Christian Schmidt will give the world's fastest introduction to theology, tell you why you should care, and then discuss a basic theological framework that UUs (yes, all of us) can agree on. Also, there will be a play, and you'll love it!

Urgency, Reaction and Faith
Rev. Phil Schulman

How often are we in a reactive mode, seeing things we don't like and railing against them? How often do we proceed from a song, dream or vision that arises in us, and stroll gently down the path toward
fulfillment. Can we learn to act more often from our faith than from
fear?

Listen to, or read the full sermon.

A Fifth of July

There’s a lot to embrace this Independence Day -- a country of rebels, heretics, and other visionaries! Join us as we celebrate the United States of America through music and word.

Into the Spiritual Groove
Ecstatic Dance Houston

Gently awaken the body and spirit through sound and movement.

Allowing the vibrations and rhythms to move you and move through you facilitates subtle changes to body, mind and spirit. Come and experience the joy of a community in motion.

"A Little Thing Called Love"
Rita Cusack

In Love's Garden there is beauty and growth but there are also weeds and thorns. How do we continue to do this thing called love and when loving gets tough? Together we will delve into the hard truths about love and what keeps us going.

Listen to, or read the full sermon.

"Good Lives for Dads"
Rev. Phil Schulman

Males are deeply conditioned into an orientation of dominance. We end up dominating and forcing ourselves to buck up and get with the program. Can Dads learn to influence themselves and their children with ease, love and cooperation? As a gift to fathers, let's support and encourage them to to lead delicious delightful lives deeply connected to children, community and joyful faith.

Listen to, or read the full sermon.

RE Year in Review

It’s been a wonderful year as we explored Michael Josephson’s Pillars of Character through an interage, rotational model of religious education. Join us for skits and songs that illustrate what we’ve learned.

“The Thawing of God’s Frozen People”
Rev. Phillip Schulman

UU Congregational life has been growing beyond the bounds of our English Protestant history and culture. We are are embracing multicultural spirituality and learning to express our Principles and Purposes in new and exciting ways. Come experience it.

Listen to, or read the full sermon.

Memorial Sunday Remembrance Service
Joanna Fontaine Crawford

On this Memorial Sunday, we gather to remember those who have given their lives in military service to our country. Please join us in honoring their memory.

“Leviticus”
Laura Emerson

Leviticus: Its most widely cited verse is used to condemn homosexuality, but since it is one of the most boring books in the Bible, few people know what the other thousands of verses say about the time and place, so long ago and far away, in which this book was written. If the rest of Leviticus were similarly applied to contemporary discourse, football wouldn't be an American pastime, fashion wouldn't be much of an industry, and agriculture wouldn't support as large a population. If you were to draft such a detailed book for UUs, what would it include?

Listen to, or read the full sermon.

“Flower Communion + Mother’s Day”
Rita Cusack, Tracy Cook, Susanna Hill

Flowers are a symbol of all things which unite us with each other and with the eternal order of the Universe. In our Flower Communion this year, we will celebrate the beauty of the flowers, the beauty of those who are touching our lives now and the beauty of those who have touched our lives along our life’s journey. As we gather together for our Flower Communion on Mother’s Day this year, we will also be celebrating the sacredness of Motherhood.

We ask that you bring a flower that represents someone, female or male, who has Mothered you on your life’s journey. This could be someone who has nurtured you or whose wisdom guided you or whose love gave you the strength to move forward.

If you are so moved, you also may bring an object or a picture to place on the altar that represents the beautiful soul who has mothered you.

Read full sermon.

"I Want My Maypole"
Rev. Phillip Schulman

Long before Judaism and Christianity emerged, Pagan, Wiccan, Goddess religions and indigenous cultures honored, celebrated and discovered an awesome, sacred and transcendent mystery in nature. Let's celebrate Beltane together. It's a Gaelic and Pagan holiday invoking and acknowledging fertility. What in your life needs spawning? What didn't make it through the winter, that needs to be cleared away in order to make room for new life? We'll look to the marvels of nature in Spring. Wanted: dancers for the Maypole.

Read full sermon.

"Taking a Bet on the Truth"
David Throop

'The search for truth is our sacrament. And service is its prayer.' We are called to action, based on the truths we know. But there's a catch. Revelation isn't finished - tomorrow may prove today's truths to be partial, provisional. Or just wrong. Our free churches have struggled with the question ever since the Pilgrims -- How do act boldly, faithfully, given that we might be in error? This Sunday, we look back to our Unitarian roots to learn how UU's serve with confidence even as we walk in doubt.

“What Every Religious Liberal Should Know About the Bible: The Book of Revelation”
Laura Emerson

To engage in contemporary religious discussions, we, as UUs, need to be familiar with references in the Bible, as read from a religious liberal perspective. So what do you know about "end of the world" references you may hear from friends, relatives, and coworkers, including the point that Bellaire, TX has the "devil's number" because the prefix is "666." What does the Book of Revelation actually say, and significantly, what is NOT in there? Does a well meaning loved one fear for your afterlife? Attend this service for a UU response.

“An Easter Melody”

 Come join us as we celebrate Spring, Solstice, Rebirth, Easter – in music. Easter bonnets optional!

“R-E-S-P-E-C-T!”
 Patti Henry

Aretha Franklin is just asking for a little respect for women. Author and psychotherapist, Patti Henry, is talking to us on April 5 about gaining a little of that respect for yourself. Inspired by women who have made a difference, Patti will share with us how you, too, can make a difference in the world by following the light within.

"Faith in the Unitarian Universalist Church"
Rev. Eric Posa

Ours is a rational religion, and many within our churches hesitate to describe UUism as a "faith." We'll consider a way of viewing faith as fully consistant with Unitarian Universalism, and also reflect on what faith has to do with trust.

Rev. Eric Posa serves the UU Church of the Brazos Valley in College Station. He lives in Bryan with his wife, Suzi.

"TESTIFY!"
Joanna Fontaine Crawford

Or “So What’s the Good News About Unitarian Universalism and Why/How Should I Spread It?”  Joanna will testify, exhort you to evangelize, discuss Holy Spirit and even give some tips about getting through those “What do you believe?” conversations.
--
Jennifer Armentrout had to cancel due to a family emergency.  Our prayers go out to her and her family.

“Becoming Trustworthy People”
Sermon by Rev. Tom Owen-Towle, pulpiteered by Allan Perkins

The basic task of all religion is to reaffirm the first relationship of trust between mother and child. Easier said than done, nonetheless crucial in the shaping of our personal and social worlds. This sermon, delivered by Rev. Owen-Towle last June at the UU Fellowship of San Dieguito addresses the trust we need in each other to grow as individuals and as a congregation.

Craving the White Space
Joanna Fontaine Crawford

Sometimes, it’s just too much. Too many activities, too much clutter, too much stuff. Sometimes, what we crave is a little bit of emptiness … room in our schedule just to daydream, room in our bookcases for future reads, room in our heads for new thoughts.

Come get motivated to get rid of the literal and metaphorical clutter that you no longer love or that no longer serves you well. Empty cardboard boxes will be provided.

“Love is the Spirit”
Sermon by Rev. Marlin Lavanhar, Senior Minister, pulpiteered by Rob Barreda

What is the purpose of church? Different people have different ideas – in this sermon, delivered at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma on February 1, 2009, Rev. Lavanhar pulls together the disparate ideas, arguing that love helps us in our business of “creating spiritually mature people.”

"It's the Best Day Ever"
Mary K. Isaacs

"The History of Religion, The Musical"

Come join us for our second play directed by Cheryl Perry as she covers The History of Religion, from the Big Bang to the Second Coming as only the Unitarian Universalists can tell it!

"The Heart of the Matter is Love"
Lucia Bettler

Many spiritual traditions speak of kindness and love...that deep caring that comes from the depth of our souls. In our world today there are many inspiring stories about how people dig deep and step forward to help individuals in need. We must live with open hands and hearts even when it is difficult. Join Lucia today to explore how "loving kindness" lives in all of us......and how we can help one another to keep it flowing into our changing world.

"Turn The Tables, or Turn The Other Cheek?"
by Rev. Chuck Freeman

Like all of you, Chuck has been observing candidate and now President Obama in his style of engagement and early governing strategies.  Freshly back from broadcasting and blogging at the Inauguration Chuck will distill practical spiritual lessons from Mr. Obama's words and deeds.  What can we glean from President Obama that can help us be better UU's, citizens and human beings?

"You Can't Rollerskate in a Buffalo Herd"
by Katy Carpman

In 1966, Roger Miller explained that "Ya can't roller skate in a buffalo herd, but you can be happy if you've a mind to" --How can we choose happiness? Is it really as simple as "Knuckle down, buckle down, do it, do it, do it"? How can a change in personal outlook help each of us to change the world?
 

"Martin Walked So Barack Could Run"
by Joanna Fontaine Crawford
 

January 19 is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and January 20, the first African-American citizen will be sworn is as President of the United States. This is a time of pride and hope for many who have worked for civil rights, but they are quick to point out that there is still much work to be done. What steps do we take now that will affect people 45 years from now?

"The Fulcrum and the Snow Ball: Overturning the Caste System in Nepal"
by Earle Canfield

This time last year I visited NWCUUC and talked about the power of our deeds (Karma); I talked about how personally fulfilling it has been in my life and in the lives of our sponsors. Such a deed gives blighted children a chance to blossom: to go to school, attend college, attain careers, and to break the poverty cycle their families had been entrapped for generations. However, the power of Karma is not evident in simply transforming people individually, but it can gather momentum and transform an entire society. Malcolm Gladwell's book The Tipping Point shows how this transformation can happen overnight: how epidemics begin, fads and fashions take off, and a freshman senator from Illinois can become President. Today's sermon reveals how ANSWER is not just educating a few hundred children, but it is undermining the deeply ingrained caste system in Nepal. The conditions are ripe, the ball is gathering speed, and the balance is about to tip to bring about a social revolution that may bring real opportunity and true democracy to millions on the subcontinent.

ANSWER: In 2001, after enrolling a little street girl in a high-caste school and witnessing her amazing progress in three short years, Earle, his wife Mary Jane, and Som, a native hospital worker in Nepal began talking about starting an organization ANSWER to educate disadvantaged children. As more and more children became enrolled and
excelled, it became clear that these students needed to go on to college and break the poverty cycle. About 3 years ago, we wanted our students to do more than simply contribute to family wealth, but to model themselves on the generosity of their sponsors and give back to society as a whole. Now that our students are graduating as businessmen, nurses and other health professionals from the lowest castes, a social reformation is in the offing.

"2009: year of Hope or year of Crises?"
by Rita Cusack

Pity the news-addicted, so many messages of gloom and doom! Every episode has the latest bad news with the inference that if you haven't been defeated yet, you soon will be. Contrast that to the message of the presidential election; "Hope and Change". Now is the time for all good men to... sort out what really matters (again). Please join us in this annual "Housekeeping for the Soul" service.

"The Center of the Holidays"

This Sunday falls between Christmas & New Years.  It is both a time of rest after the holiday hustle-bustle, & anticipation of beginning a new year.

"Candlelight Christmas Eve Service"

The 12th annual Traditional Candlelight Christmas Eve service.

"A Very Festive Season"

Certain songs & stories make up a common heritage that we share & form much of the framework for how we view the holidays.

"The Joy of Giving"

Presented by Children's Religious Education

"A Christmas Story: A Man Named Charlie"
by Teri Massengale

A true Xmas story about the mystery & sacredness of life & death as shared by individuals whose paths just happened to cross.